# Official Journal C 299/2009

| | ISSN 1725-2423
  doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2009.299.eng |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 299 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 529 December 2009 |

ISSN 1725-2423

doi:10.3000/17252423.C_2009.299.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 299

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 529 December 2009

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 299/01 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 1 |
| 2009/C 299/02 | Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  ) | 5 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2009/C 299/01

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  )

1

1

2009/C 299/02

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty — Cases where the Commission raises no objections (
  1
  )

1

5

| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 299/03 | Euro exchange rates | 7 |
| | Court of Auditors |
| 2009/C 299/04 | Special report No 14/2009 Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives? | 8 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2009/C 299/05 | Procedure for the granting of traffic rights in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg | 9 |
| 2009/C 299/06 | Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General Block Exemption Regulation) (
  1
  ) | 12 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

2009/C 299/03

Euro exchange rates

7

Court of Auditors

2009/C 299/04

Special report No 14/2009 Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives?

8

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2009/C 299/05

Procedure for the granting of traffic rights in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

9

2009/C 299/06

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General Block Exemption Regulation) (
  1
  )

1

12

| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 299/07 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5697 — Alstom Holding/Alstom Hydro Holding) (
  1
  ) | 17 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | Commission |
| 2009/C 299/08 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 18 |
| 2009/C 299/09 | Publication, pursuant to Article 12(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, concerning a cancellation application | 23 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY

Commission

2009/C 299/07

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.5697 — Alstom Holding/Alstom Hydro Holding) (
  1
  )

1

17

OTHER ACTS

Commission

2009/C 299/08

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

18

2009/C 299/09

Publication, pursuant to Article 12(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, concerning a cancellation application

23

| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance |

---

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/1

---

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 299/01

| Date of adoption of the decision | 21.1.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 17/09 |
| Member State | Germany |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | SoFFin-Garantie zugunsten der Sicherungseinrichtung deutscher Banken — SDB |
| Legal basis | § 6 FMStFG, § 2 FMStFV |
| Type of measure | Individual aid |
| Objective | Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy |
| Form of aid | Guarantee |
| Budget | Overall budget: EUR 6 700 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration (period) | 2.2009-2.2014 |
| Economic sectors | Financial intermediation |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Sonderfonds Finanzmarktstabilisierung (SoFFin) |
| Finanzmarktstabilisierungsanstalt |
| Taunusanlage 6 |
| 60329 Frankfurt am Main |
| DEUTSCHLAND |

Date of adoption of the decision

21.1.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 17/09

Member State

Germany

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

SoFFin-Garantie zugunsten der Sicherungseinrichtung deutscher Banken — SDB

Legal basis

§ 6 FMStFG, § 2 FMStFV

Type of measure

Individual aid

Objective

Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy

Form of aid

Guarantee

Budget

Overall budget: EUR 6 700 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

2.2009-2.2014

Economic sectors

Financial intermediation

Name and address of the granting authority

Sonderfonds Finanzmarktstabilisierung (SoFFin)

Finanzmarktstabilisierungsanstalt

Taunusanlage 6

60329 Frankfurt am Main

DEUTSCHLAND

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

| Date of adoption of the decision | 28.10.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 346/09 |
| Member State | Italy |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Zone Franche Urbane |
| Legal basis | Articolo 1 commi da 340 a 343 della legge 27 dicembre 2006 n. 296 (GURI 27 dicembre 2006, n. 299 — S.O n. 244), come modificata dall’articolo 2 commi 561, 562 e 563 della legge 24 dicembre 2007, n. 244 (GURI 28 dicembre 2007 n. 300 — S.O n. 285) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Employment |
| Form of aid | Tax advantage |
| Budget | Annual budget: EUR 50 million; Overall budget: EUR 500 million |
| Intensity | 100 % |
| Duration (period) | 1.1.2008-31.12.2012 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Agenzia delle Entrate |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

28.10.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 346/09

Member State

Italy

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Zone Franche Urbane

Legal basis

Articolo 1 commi da 340 a 343 della legge 27 dicembre 2006 n. 296 (GURI 27 dicembre 2006, n. 299 — S.O n. 244), come modificata dall’articolo 2 commi 561, 562 e 563 della legge 24 dicembre 2007, n. 244 (GURI 28 dicembre 2007 n. 300 — S.O n. 285)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Employment

Form of aid

Tax advantage

Budget

Annual budget: EUR 50 million; Overall budget: EUR 500 million

Intensity

100 %

Duration (period)

1.1.2008-31.12.2012

Economic sectors

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

Agenzia delle Entrate

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

| Date of adoption of the decision | 26.10.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 544/09 |
| Member State | Sweden |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Ändringar i stödordning om garantier till banker |
| Legal basis | Förordning om ändring i förordningen (2008:819) om statliga garantier till banker m.fl. |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy |
| Form of aid | Guarantee |
| Budget | Overall budget: SEK 150 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration (period) | 1.11.2009-30.4.2010 |
| Economic sectors | Financial intermediation |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Riksgäldskontoret |
| SE-103 74 Stockholm |
| SVERIGE |

Date of adoption of the decision

26.10.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 544/09

Member State

Sweden

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Ändringar i stödordning om garantier till banker

Legal basis

Förordning om ändring i förordningen (2008:819) om statliga garantier till banker m.fl.

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy

Form of aid

Guarantee

Budget

Overall budget: SEK 150 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

1.11.2009-30.4.2010

Economic sectors

Financial intermediation

Name and address of the granting authority

Riksgäldskontoret

SE-103 74 Stockholm

SVERIGE

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

| Date of adoption of the decision | 27.10.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 550/09 |
| Member State | United Kingdom |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Prolongation of the Asset-backed securities guarantee scheme |
| Legal basis | Article 87(3)(b) of the EC Treaty |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy |
| Form of aid | Guarantee |
| Budget | Overall budget: GBP 50 000 million |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration (period) | 22.4.2009-31.12.2009 |
| Economic sectors | Financial intermediation |
| Name and address of the granting authority | HMT 1 |
| Horseguard road |
| London |
| SWA1 |
| UNITED KINGDOM |

Date of adoption of the decision

27.10.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 550/09

Member State

United Kingdom

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Prolongation of the Asset-backed securities guarantee scheme

Legal basis

Article 87(3)(b) of the EC Treaty

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy

Form of aid

Guarantee

Budget

Overall budget: GBP 50 000 million

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

22.4.2009-31.12.2009

Economic sectors

Financial intermediation

Name and address of the granting authority

HMT 1

Horseguard road

London

SWA1

UNITED KINGDOM

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

| Date of adoption of the decision | 29.10.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 554/09 |
| Member State | Denmark |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Amendments to the short-term export-credit insurance scheme |
| Legal basis | Section 6(2) and (3) of the Act on Eksport Kredit Fonden |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy, Export and internationalisation |
| Form of aid | Export credits insurance |
| Budget | — |
| Intensity | — |
| Duration (period) | Until 31.12.2010 |
| Economic sectors | All sectors |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Kingdom of Denmark Eksport Kredit Fonden |
| Other information | — |

Date of adoption of the decision

29.10.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 554/09

Member State

Denmark

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Amendments to the short-term export-credit insurance scheme

Legal basis

Section 6(2) and (3) of the Act on Eksport Kredit Fonden

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Aid to remedy serious disturbances in the economy, Export and internationalisation

Form of aid

Export credits insurance

Budget

—

Intensity

—

Duration (period)

Until 31.12.2010

Economic sectors

All sectors

Name and address of the granting authority

Kingdom of Denmark Eksport Kredit Fonden

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

---

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/5

---

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty

Cases where the Commission raises no objections

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 299/02

| Date of adoption of the decision | 11.11.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 300/09 |
| Member State | Finland |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Valtiontuki miehistön matka- ja vaihtokustannuksiin |
| Legal basis | Merimieslaki 1978/423, merimiesten vuosilomalaki 1984/433 ja merityöaikalaki 1976/296. |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | 1. | To maintain employment in the maritime sector. |

Date of adoption of the decision

11.11.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 300/09

Member State

Finland

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Valtiontuki miehistön matka- ja vaihtokustannuksiin

Legal basis

Merimieslaki 1978/423, merimiesten vuosilomalaki 1984/433 ja merityöaikalaki 1976/296.

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

1.

To maintain employment in the maritime sector.

| 2. | To improve the competitiveness of the Finnish maritime transport industry and safeguard the Finnish flag. |
| --- | --- |

2.

To improve the competitiveness of the Finnish maritime transport industry and safeguard the Finnish flag.

Form of aid

Direct grants

Budget

EUR 1,05 million per annum

Intensity

50 %

Duration (period)

31 December 2011

Economic sectors

Maritime transport

Name and address of the granting authority

| Merenkulkulaitos/Finnish Maritime Administration |
| --- |
| Merenkulkulaitoksen Keskushallinto |
| Porkkalankatu 5 |
| PL 171 |
| FI-00181 Helsinki |
| SUOMI/FINLAND |

Merenkulkulaitos/Finnish Maritime Administration

Merenkulkulaitoksen Keskushallinto

Porkkalankatu 5

PL 171

FI-00181 Helsinki

SUOMI/FINLAND

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

| Date of adoption of the decision | 5.11.2009 |
| --- | --- |
| Reference number of State Aid | N 324/09 |
| Member State | Germany |
| Region | — |
| Title (and/or name of the beneficiary) | Förderung von Maßnahmen der Lärmminderung an bestehenden Güterwagen im Rahmen des Pilotprojekts „Leiser Rhein“ |
| Legal basis | Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschriften (VV-BHO) zu §§ 23, 44 Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO) |
| Type of measure | Aid scheme |
| Objective | Grant funding for the retrofitting of railway freight wagons with noise-reduced composite brakes (Verbundstoffbremssohlen) under the pilot project ‘Silent Rhine’ |
| Form of aid | Direct grant |
| Budget | Total budget of EUR 20 million |
| Intensity | 50 % (60 % SMEs; 70 % small enterprises) |
| Duration (period) | 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2012 |
| Economic sectors | Rail transport |
| Name and address of the granting authority | Eisenbahn-Bundesamt |
| Heinemannstraße 6 |
| 53175 Bonn |
| DEUTSCHLAND |

Date of adoption of the decision

5.11.2009

Reference number of State Aid

N 324/09

Member State

Germany

Region

—

Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)

Förderung von Maßnahmen der Lärmminderung an bestehenden Güterwagen im Rahmen des Pilotprojekts „Leiser Rhein“

Legal basis

Allgemeine Verwaltungsvorschriften (VV-BHO) zu §§ 23, 44 Bundeshaushaltsordnung (BHO)

Type of measure

Aid scheme

Objective

Grant funding for the retrofitting of railway freight wagons with noise-reduced composite brakes (Verbundstoffbremssohlen) under the pilot project ‘Silent Rhine’

Form of aid

Direct grant

Budget

Total budget of EUR 20 million

Intensity

50 % (60 % SMEs; 70 % small enterprises)

Duration (period)

1 July 2009 to 31 December 2012

Economic sectors

Rail transport

Name and address of the granting authority

Eisenbahn-Bundesamt

Heinemannstraße 6

53175 Bonn

DEUTSCHLAND

Other information

—

The authentic text(s) of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/state_aids/state_aids_texts_en.htm

---

IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES

Commission

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/7 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/7

---

Euro exchange rates (1)

8 December 2009

2009/C 299/03

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,4774 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 130,74 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4416 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,90700 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,4841 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,5111 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 8,4915 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,757 |
| EEK | Estonian kroon | 15,6466 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 273,42 |
| LTL | Lithuanian litas | 3,4528 |
| LVL | Latvian lats | 0,7077 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1070 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,2351 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 2,2240 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,6247 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5595 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 11,4504 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 2,0785 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 2,0570 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 706,88 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 11,0849 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 10,0869 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,2630 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 14 045,58 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 5,0150 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 68,045 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 45,0700 |
| THB | Thai baht | 49,028 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 2,5792 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 18,8465 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 68,7743 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,4774

JPY

Japanese yen

130,74

DKK

Danish krone

7,4416

GBP

Pound sterling

0,90700

SEK

Swedish krona

10,4841

CHF

Swiss franc

1,5111

ISK

Iceland króna

NOK

Norwegian krone

8,4915

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,757

EEK

Estonian kroon

15,6466

HUF

Hungarian forint

273,42

LTL

Lithuanian litas

3,4528

LVL

Latvian lats

0,7077

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1070

RON

Romanian leu

4,2351

TRY

Turkish lira

2,2240

AUD

Australian dollar

1,6247

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5595

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

11,4504

NZD

New Zealand dollar

2,0785

SGD

Singapore dollar

2,0570

KRW

South Korean won

1 706,88

ZAR

South African rand

11,0849

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

10,0869

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,2630

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

14 045,58

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

5,0150

PHP

Philippine peso

68,045

RUB

Russian rouble

45,0700

THB

Thai baht

49,028

BRL

Brazilian real

2,5792

MXN

Mexican peso

18,8465

INR

Indian rupee

68,7743

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

---

Court of Auditors

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/8

---

Special report No 14/2009 ‘Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives?’

2009/C 299/04

The European Court of Auditors wishes to inform you that its special report No 14/2009 ‘Have the management instruments applied to the market in milk and milk products achieved their main objectives?’ has just been published.

The report can be viewed or downloaded from the website of the European Court of Auditors: http://www.eca.europa.eu

You may obtain a version of the report in hard copy or on CD-ROM by contacting:

| European Court of Auditors |
| --- |
| Communication and Reports Unit |
| 12, rue Alcide De Gasperi |
| 1615 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |
| Tel. +352 4398-1 |
| E-mail: euraud@eca.europa.eu |

European Court of Auditors

Communication and Reports Unit

12, rue Alcide De Gasperi

1615 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Tel. +352 4398-1

E-mail: euraud@eca.europa.eu

or by completing an electronic order form on EU-Bookshop.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/9

---

Procedure for the granting of traffic rights in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

2009/C 299/05

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 847/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the negotiation and implementation of air service agreements between Member States and third countries, the following national procedure is hereby established to share Luxembourg traffic rights between eligible Community air carriers.

Having regard to the amended law of 31 January 1948 on air navigation regulation,

Having regard to the amended law of 19 May 1999 which seeks to:

| (a) | regulate access to the groundhandling services market at Luxembourg airport; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

regulate access to the groundhandling services market at Luxembourg airport;

| (b) | create a regulatory framework for civil aviation security; and |
| --- | --- |

(b)

create a regulatory framework for civil aviation security; and

| (c) | establish a Civil Aviation Directorate. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

establish a Civil Aviation Directorate.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, any air carrier based in Luxembourg with a valid operating licence granted by a Community Member State can apply for the granting of traffic rights for the operation of flights between Luxembourg and third countries.

Decisions regarding the granting of traffic rights for flights between Luxembourg and third countries are the responsibility of the Directorate for Civil Aviation (DCA), which shall reach its decision on the granting of such rights to air carriers on the basis of a written application.

Applications for the granting of traffic rights are to be submitted in English or in French to the following address:

| Direction de l’Aviation Civile |
| --- |
| B.P. 283 |
| 2012 Luxembourg |
| LUXEMBOURG |

Direction de l’Aviation Civile

B.P. 283

2012 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

| (i) | Granting of traffic rights under bilateral agreements with third countries which do not contain restrictions concerning traffic rights, in particular where the number of designated air carriers, frequency or capacity is concerned. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

Granting of traffic rights under bilateral agreements with third countries which do not contain restrictions concerning traffic rights, in particular where the number of designated air carriers, frequency or capacity is concerned.

Requests for traffic rights submitted to the DCA by qualified air carriers with a view to exercising the available traffic rights will be approved as long as there are no restrictions in terms of traffic rights, in particular where the number of designated air carriers, frequency or capacity is concerned in the context of the bilateral agreement with the relevant country.

| (ii) | Granting of traffic rights under bilateral agreements with third countries in the event of restrictions concerning traffic rights, in particular where the number of designated air carriers, frequency or capacity is concerned. |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

Granting of traffic rights under bilateral agreements with third countries in the event of restrictions concerning traffic rights, in particular where the number of designated air carriers, frequency or capacity is concerned.

The granting of restricted traffic rights in the context of bilateral agreements with third countries will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 847/2004 on the negotiation and implementation of air service agreements between Member States and third countries.

When deciding whether or not to grant traffic rights, the DCA shall consider the following factors:

| (a) | the type and level of air services offered; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the type and level of air services offered;

| (b) | the frequency and capacity proposed; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the frequency and capacity proposed;

| (c) | the proposed start date and period of operation; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the proposed start date and period of operation;

| (d) | maximisation of benefits for consumers through the provision of low fare, efficient and competitive air services; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

maximisation of benefits for consumers through the provision of low fare, efficient and competitive air services;

| (e) | the fare structure offered; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the fare structure offered;

| (f) | maintenance of the continuity of air services; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

maintenance of the continuity of air services;

| (g) | integration, where appropriate, of the proposed services into an existing network; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

integration, where appropriate, of the proposed services into an existing network;

| (h) | impact on the environment; |
| --- | --- |

(h)

impact on the environment;

| (i) | efficient use of available traffic rights; |
| --- | --- |

(i)

efficient use of available traffic rights;

| (j) | economic profitability of the proposed air services; |
| --- | --- |

(j)

economic profitability of the proposed air services;

| (k) | efficient development of air transport, commerce and tourism in Luxembourg and in the European Community. |
| --- | --- |

(k)

efficient development of air transport, commerce and tourism in Luxembourg and in the European Community.

The DCA shall publish initial applications, including all non-confidential and relevant details, on its website. Other air carriers may submit applications for the granting of traffic rights for the same route within a period of 21 days following the publication of information on the first application. These applications shall be published under the same conditions as the first application. Applications received after the expiry of this period will not be considered.

The DCA will draw up a draft decision on applications for traffic rights within a period of 60 days following the initial application. The DCA will publish a draft decision on its Internet site, including the reasons for the decision, and will communicate the decision in writing to all air carriers which applied for the traffic rights concerned. Within a period of 15 days following the publication of the draft decision, any air carrier which was involved in the application procedure can request a review of the draft decision and supply additional information or documents in support of its application. No later than 30 days following the publication of the draft decision, the DCA will make its final decision on the application for traffic rights, which will be published on its website and will be sent in writing to all air carriers concerned.

A decision to grant traffic rights shall be valid for a period of seven years.

An air carrier which is granted traffic rights by the DCA cannot cede these rights to another carrier.

Where the traffic rights granted by the DCA to an air carrier are not made available or are withdrawn by the competent services of the third country concerned, the air carrier in question must immediately inform the DCA in writing.

The DCA shall supervise the use of the traffic rights granted and ensure that the air carriers concerned use these rights in accordance with the conditions specified in the allocation decision and in all relevant provisions.

The DCA can withdraw the traffic rights granted to an air carrier if:

| (a) | the air carrier does not commence operations on the specified route within six months following the date on which the decision to grant traffic rights acquires legal force; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the air carrier does not commence operations on the specified route within six months following the date on which the decision to grant traffic rights acquires legal force;

| (b) | the air carrier does not make use of the granted traffic rights for a consecutive 12-month period; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the air carrier does not make use of the granted traffic rights for a consecutive 12-month period;

| (c) | the competent authority of the State where the air carrier is established withdraws the operating licence; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the competent authority of the State where the air carrier is established withdraws the operating licence;

| (d) | an air carrier violates the conditions specified in the decision to grant traffic rights; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

an air carrier violates the conditions specified in the decision to grant traffic rights;

| (e) | an air carrier violates the conditions of the aviation agreement on which the granting of traffic rights is based or other international obligations; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

an air carrier violates the conditions of the aviation agreement on which the granting of traffic rights is based or other international obligations;

| (f) | the air carrier does not comply with the conditions necessary to carry out air transport or the provisions applying to this activity; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

the air carrier does not comply with the conditions necessary to carry out air transport or the provisions applying to this activity;

| (g) | a review by the DCA following a challenge by a competitor not less than three years from the decision to grant rights, shows that the air carrier is not making effective use of their traffic rights granted. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

a review by the DCA following a challenge by a competitor not less than three years from the decision to grant rights, shows that the air carrier is not making effective use of their traffic rights granted.

In the event of such withdrawal by the DCA of traffic rights granted to an air carrier, these rights will be subject to a new granting procedure.

Restricted traffic rights granted to an air carrier prior to the entry into force of the current regulation will be subject to a fresh granting procedure after a transitional period of three years following the entry into force of the current regulation.

An application for traffic rights submitted by an air carrier must contain the following information:

| — | a description of the services for which the traffic rights have been requested, |
| --- | --- |

—

a description of the services for which the traffic rights have been requested,

| — | the duration and type of the operation (carriage of passengers or goods, etc.), |
| --- | --- |

—

the duration and type of the operation (carriage of passengers or goods, etc.),

| — | a description of the proposed air services (number of flights per week, potential stopovers, regularity of services — annual or seasonal, etc.), |
| --- | --- |

—

a description of the proposed air services (number of flights per week, potential stopovers, regularity of services — annual or seasonal, etc.),

| — | aircraft type and configuration, |
| --- | --- |

—

aircraft type and configuration,

| — | scheduled date of start-up of operation, |
| --- | --- |

—

scheduled date of start-up of operation,

| — | fare structure to be offered, |
| --- | --- |

—

fare structure to be offered,

| — | description of the types of service to be offered for sale, |
| --- | --- |

—

description of the types of service to be offered for sale,

| — | connections, where appropriate, with the carrier's existing route network or links with other carriers' networks. |
| --- | --- |

—

connections, where appropriate, with the carrier's existing route network or links with other carriers' networks.

The following documents must accompany the application from the air carrier:

| — | a copy of the operating licence in accordance with relevant Community legislation, |
| --- | --- |

—

a copy of the operating licence in accordance with relevant Community legislation,

| — | air operator's certificate, including the operating specification with the corresponding geographical specification covering the requested traffic rights, |
| --- | --- |

—

air operator's certificate, including the operating specification with the corresponding geographical specification covering the requested traffic rights,

| — | certificate of civil liability for damage caused to third parties, |
| --- | --- |

—

certificate of civil liability for damage caused to third parties,

| — | security programme. |
| --- | --- |

—

security programme.

The DCA will publish an inventory of all available traffic rights, as well as a provisional timetable of bilateral negotiations planned with third countries, on its Internet site.

---

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/12

---

Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market in application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General Block Exemption Regulation)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 299/06

| Reference number of State Aid | X 266/09 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Czech Republic |
| Member State reference number | — |
| Name of the Region (NUTS) | Czech Republic
  Mixed |
| Granting authority | Ministerstvo zemědělství |
| Těšnov 17 |
| 117 05 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |
| http://www.mze.cz/ |

Reference number of State Aid

X 266/09

Member State

Czech Republic

Member State reference number

—

Name of the Region (NUTS)

Czech Republic

Mixed

Granting authority

Ministerstvo zemědělství

Těšnov 17

117 05 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

http://www.mze.cz/

Title of the aid measure

Podpora ozdravování polních a speciálních plodin – tvorba rostlinných genotypů s vysokou rezistencí biotickým a abiotickým faktorům

National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)

Zákon č. 252/1997 Sb., o zemědělství, zejména § 2d

Zásady Ministerstva zemědělství, kterými se stanovují podmínky pro poskytování dotací na základě § 2 a § 2d zákona č. 252/1997 Sb., o zemědělství (dotační program 3.d.)

Type of measure

Scheme

Amendment of an existing aid measure

—

Duration

15.2.2009-31.12.2013

Economic sector(s) concerned

Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering

Type of beneficiary

SME

large enterprise

Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme

CZK 90,00 (in millions)

For guarantees

—

Aid Instrument (Article 5)

Grant

Reference to the Commission decision

—

If co-financed by Community funds

—

Objectives

Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency

SME-bonuses in %

Aid for research and development in the agricultural and fisheries sectors (Article 34)

80 %

—

Web link to the full text of the aid measure:

http://aplikace.mvcr.cz/archiv2008/sbirka/1997/sb085-97.pdf

http://www.mze.cz/Index.aspx?ch=74

| Reference number of State Aid | X 271/09 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Czech Republic |
| Member State reference number | CCI 2007CB163PO025 |
| Name of the Region (NUTS) | Severovýchod, Strední Morava, Moravskoslezko
  Article 87(3)(a) |
| Granting authority | Ministerstvo pro místní rozvoj |
| Staroměstské nám. 6 |
| 110 00 Praha 1 |
| ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA |
| http://www.mmr.cz |

Reference number of State Aid

X 271/09

Member State

Czech Republic

Member State reference number

CCI 2007CB163PO025

Name of the Region (NUTS)

Severovýchod, Strední Morava, Moravskoslezko

Article 87(3)(a)

Granting authority

Ministerstvo pro místní rozvoj

Staroměstské nám. 6

110 00 Praha 1

ČESKÁ REPUBLIKA

http://www.mmr.cz

Title of the aid measure

Cíl: Evropská územní spolupráce Česká republika–Polsko 2007–2013;

Prioritní osa 1; Posilování dopravní dostupnosti, ochrana ŽP a prevence rizik

National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)

Zákon č. 218/2000 Sb., o rozpočtových pravidlech

Type of measure

Scheme

Amendment of an existing aid measure

—

Duration

17.2.2009-31.12.2013

Economic sector(s) concerned

All economic sectors eligible to receive aid

Type of beneficiary

SME

large enterprise

Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme

CZK 1 310,00 (in millions)

For guarantees

—

Aid Instrument (Article 5)

Direct grant

Reference to the Commission decision

—

If co-financed by Community funds

Strukturální fondy EU – ERDF (85 %) – 1 113,00 CZK (v milionech)

Objectives

Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency

SME-bonuses in %

SME investment and employment aid (Article 15)

20 %

—

Aid for consultancy in favour of SMEs (Article 26)

50 %

—

Aid for SME participation in fairs (Article 27)

50 %

—

Specific training (Article 38(1))

25 %

20 %

General training (Article 38(2))

60 %

20 %

Web link to the full text of the aid measure:

http://www.cz-pl.eu

| Reference number of State Aid | X 272/09 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Bulgaria |
| Member State reference number | — |
| Name of the Region (NUTS) | Bulgaria
  Article 87(3)(a) |
| Granting authority | Агенция по заетостта |
| Бул. „Дондуков“ No 3 |
| 1000 София/Sofia |
| БЪЛГАРИЯ/BULGARIA |
| http://www.az.government.bg |

Reference number of State Aid

X 272/09

Member State

Bulgaria

Member State reference number

—

Name of the Region (NUTS)

Bulgaria

Article 87(3)(a)

Granting authority

Агенция по заетостта

Бул. „Дондуков“ No 3

1000 София/Sofia

БЪЛГАРИЯ/BULGARIA

http://www.az.government.bg

Title of the aid measure

Схема за предоставяне на безвъзмездна финансова помощ: „Квалификационни услуги и обучения на заети лица — фаза 2“, Оперативна програма „Развитие на човешките ресурси“, Приоритетна ос 2: „Повишаване производителността и адаптивността на заетите“, Област на интервенция 2.1: „Подобряване адаптивността на заетите лица“

National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)

Закон за държавните помощи

Постановление на Министерски Съвет No 180/27.7.2007 г.

Регламент (ЕО) No 800/2008 на Комисията от 6 август 2008 година Регламент (ЕО) No 1081/2006 на Европейската комисия и на Съвета от 5 юли 2006 г.

Регламент (ЕО) No 1083/2006 на Съвета от 11 юли 2006 г.

Регламент (ЕК) No 1

Type of measure

Scheme

Amendment of an existing aid measure

—

Duration

26.1.2009-31.3.2011

Economic sector(s) concerned

All economic sectors eligible to receive aid

Type of beneficiary

SME

large enterprise

Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme

BGN 39,00 (in millions)

For guarantees

—

Aid Instrument (Article 5)

Direct grant

Reference to the Commission decision

—

If co-financed by Community funds

BG051PO001-2.1.02 — 33,15 BGN (в млн.)

Objectives

Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency

SME-bonuses in %

Specific training (Article 38(1))

25 %

20 %

General training (Article 38(2))

60 %

20 %

Web link to the full text of the aid measure:

http://www.az.government.bg/internal.asp?CatID=28&WA=Efunds/OPHRD/AP2102/Menu_AP2102.htm

| Reference number of State Aid | X 273/09 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Poland |
| Member State reference number | PL |
| Name of the Region (NUTS) | Poland
  Article 87(3)(a) |
| Granting authority | Ośrodki Innowacyjności znajdujące sie na liście projektów indywidulanych POIG
  Adresy Ośrodków Innowacyjności (informacje w załączniku nr 3)
  Adresy Ośrodków Innowacyjności (informacje w załączniku nr 3) |
| Title of the aid measure | Pomoc finansowa udzielana przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości na wspieranie ośrodków innowacyjności w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka, 2007–2013 |
| National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication) | Ustawa z dnia 6 grudnia 2006 r. o zasadach prowadzenia polityki rozwoju (Dz. U. 227, poz. 1658 ze zm.)
  Rozporządzenie Ministra Rozwoju Regionalnego z dnia 30 stycznia 2009 r. w sprawie udzielania przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości pomocy finansowej na wspieranie ośrodków innowacyjności w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka, 2007–2013 (Dz. U. 21 z 2009, poz. 116)
  Program Operacyjny Innowacyjna Gospodarka 2007–2013
  Szczegółowy opis priorytetów POIG |
| Type of measure | Scheme |
| Amendment of an existing aid measure | — |
| Duration | 10.2.2009-31.12.2013 |
| Economic sector(s) concerned | All economic sectors eligible to receive aid |
| Type of beneficiary | SME
  large enterprise |
| Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme | PLN 247,18 (in millions) |
| For guarantees | — |
| Aid Instrument (Article 5) | Direct grant |
| Reference to the Commission decision | — |
| If co-financed by Community funds | Art. 54 ust. 4 rozporządzenia rady (WE) nr 1083/2006 z dnia 11 lipca 2006 r. ustanawiające przepisy ogólne dotyczące Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego, Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego oraz Funduszu Spójności i uchylające rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1260/1999 (Dz.U. L 210 z 31.7.2006, s. 25) i rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1080/2006 Parlamentu Eutopejskiego i Rady z dnia 5 lipca 2006 r. w sprawie Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego i uchylające rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1783/1999 (Dz.U. L 210 z 31.7.2006, s. 1) |
| Objectives | Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency | SME-bonuses in % |
| Aid for consultancy in favour of SMEs (Article 26) | 50 % | — |
| Specific training (Article 38(1)) | 35 % | 20 % |
| General training (Article 38(2)) | 70 % | 20 % |

Reference number of State Aid

X 273/09

Member State

Poland

Member State reference number

PL

Name of the Region (NUTS)

Poland

Article 87(3)(a)

Granting authority

Ośrodki Innowacyjności znajdujące sie na liście projektów indywidulanych POIG

Adresy Ośrodków Innowacyjności (informacje w załączniku nr 3)

Adresy Ośrodków Innowacyjności (informacje w załączniku nr 3)

Title of the aid measure

Pomoc finansowa udzielana przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości na wspieranie ośrodków innowacyjności w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka, 2007–2013

National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)

Ustawa z dnia 6 grudnia 2006 r. o zasadach prowadzenia polityki rozwoju (Dz. U. 227, poz. 1658 ze zm.)

Rozporządzenie Ministra Rozwoju Regionalnego z dnia 30 stycznia 2009 r. w sprawie udzielania przez Polską Agencję Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości pomocy finansowej na wspieranie ośrodków innowacyjności w ramach Programu Operacyjnego Innowacyjna Gospodarka, 2007–2013 (Dz. U. 21 z 2009, poz. 116)

Program Operacyjny Innowacyjna Gospodarka 2007–2013

Szczegółowy opis priorytetów POIG

Type of measure

Scheme

Amendment of an existing aid measure

—

Duration

10.2.2009-31.12.2013

Economic sector(s) concerned

All economic sectors eligible to receive aid

Type of beneficiary

SME

large enterprise

Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme

PLN 247,18 (in millions)

For guarantees

—

Aid Instrument (Article 5)

Direct grant

Reference to the Commission decision

—

If co-financed by Community funds

Art. 54 ust. 4 rozporządzenia rady (WE) nr 1083/2006 z dnia 11 lipca 2006 r. ustanawiające przepisy ogólne dotyczące Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego, Europejskiego Funduszu Społecznego oraz Funduszu Spójności i uchylające rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1260/1999 (Dz.U. L 210 z 31.7.2006, s. 25) i rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1080/2006 Parlamentu Eutopejskiego i Rady z dnia 5 lipca 2006 r. w sprawie Europejskiego Funduszu Rozwoju Regionalnego i uchylające rozporządzenie (WE) nr 1783/1999 (Dz.U. L 210 z 31.7.2006, s. 1)

Objectives

Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency

SME-bonuses in %

Aid for consultancy in favour of SMEs (Article 26)

50 %

—

Specific training (Article 38(1))

35 %

20 %

General training (Article 38(2))

70 %

20 %

Web link to the full text of the aid measure:

http://www.poig.gov.pl/Dokumenty/pp/Lists/Prawo%20Polskie/Attachments/13/Rozp_MRR_PARP_5_3_100209.pdf

| Reference number of State Aid | X 274/09 |
| --- | --- |
| Member State | Spain |
| Member State reference number | Avanza Formación |
| Name of the Region (NUTS) | — |
| Granting authority | Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio |
| Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones y Sociedad d |
| C/ Capitán Haya, 41 |
| Madrid |
| ESPAÑA |
| http://www.mityc.es |

Reference number of State Aid

X 274/09

Member State

Spain

Member State reference number

Avanza Formación

Name of the Region (NUTS)

—

Granting authority

Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio

Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones y Sociedad d

C/ Capitán Haya, 41

Madrid

ESPAÑA

http://www.mityc.es

Title of the aid measure

Acción Estratégica de Telecomunicaciones y Sociedad de la Información dentro del Plan nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación tecnológica, 2008-2011. Subprograma Avanza Formación

National legal basis (Reference to the relevant national official publication)

Resolución de 16 de febrero de 2009 de la SETSI , por la que se efectúa la convocatoria 1/2009 para la concesión de ayudas para la realización de proyectos y acciones de la ATELSI dentro del Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2008-2011

Type of measure

Scheme

Amendment of an existing aid measure

Modification XT 37/08

Duration

27.2.2008-31.12.2011

Economic sector(s) concerned

All economic sectors eligible to receive aid

Type of beneficiary

SME

large enterprise

Annual overall amount of the budget planned under the scheme

EUR 25,00 (in millions)

For guarantees

—

Aid Instrument (Article 5)

Direct grant

Reference to the Commission decision

—

If co-financed by Community funds

Programa Operativo Fondo Social Europeo 2007-2013 Adaptabilidad y Empleo — 15,00 EUR (en millones)

Objectives

Maximum aid intensity in % or maximum aid amount in national currency

SME-bonuses in %

General training (Article 38(2))

70 %

—

Web link to the full text of the aid measure:

http://www.mityc.es/portalayudas

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPETITION POLICY

Commission

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/17 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/17

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.5697 — Alstom Holding/Alstom Hydro Holding)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2009/C 299/07

| 1. | On 30 November 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Alstom Holdings (‘Alstom’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation sole control of the whole of the undertaking Alstom Hydro Holding (‘Alstom Hydro’, France), currently jointly controlled by Alstom and Bouygues SA, by way of purchase of shares. |
| --- | --- |

1.

On 30 November 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Alstom Holdings (‘Alstom’, France) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Regulation sole control of the whole of the undertaking Alstom Hydro Holding (‘Alstom Hydro’, France), currently jointly controlled by Alstom and Bouygues SA, by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Alstom: provision of equipment and services for power generation and rail transport, |
| --- | --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for Alstom: provision of equipment and services for power generation and rail transport,

| — | for Alstom Hydro: provision of equipment and services for hydropower plants. |
| --- | --- |

—

for Alstom Hydro: provision of equipment and services for hydropower plants.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5697 — Alstom Holding/Alstom Hydro Holding, to the following address:





  European Commission |
| --- | --- |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301 or 22967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5697 — Alstom Holding/Alstom Hydro Holding, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

---

OTHER ACTS

Commission

| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/18 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/18

---

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs

2009/C 299/08

This publication confers the right to object to the application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objection must reach the Commission within six months of the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

‘PODKARPACKI MIÓD SPADZIOWY’

EC No: PL-PDO-0005-0578-05.12.2006

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Name:

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’

2.   Member State or Third Country:

Poland

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff:

3.1.   Type of product (as in Annex II):

| Class 1.4. | Other products of animal origin, honey |
| --- | --- |

Class 1.4.

Other products of animal origin, honey

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies:

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is liquid or crystallised honey produced from honeydew gathered by bees from the European silver fir (Abies alba). It may also contain honeydew from spruce (family Pinaceae, genus Picea) and from Scots pine (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus, species mainly Pinus sylvestris). However, honeydew from the European silver fir predominates and never accounts for less than 70 %. ‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ may contain traces of pollen from nectariferous plants or pollen grains from anemophilous plants. The pollen and other honeydew content must not result in any change to the honey’s characteristic taste or smell, and in particular, it must not result in non-compliance with any of the characteristic values referred to in this description.

Only bees of the following races are used in the production of ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’: Apis mellifera mellifera (dark European honeybee), Apis mellifera carnica (Carnolian bee), Apis mellifera caucasica (Caucasian honeybee).

Organoleptic characteristics

Before crystallisation, the honey ranges in colour from dark brown with greenish highlights to almost black, with an intensity of at least 82 mm on the Pfund scale. It has a thick, highly viscous consistency and, after crystallisation, which proceeds slowly and results in a finely granular texture, it takes on a somewhat lighter colour. It has a mildly sweet taste, with a typically resiny fragrance reminiscent of the needles of coniferous trees.

Physico-chemical characteristics

| — | water content — not more than 19 %, |
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water content — not more than 19 %,

| — | monosaccharide (glucose and fructose) content — not less than 50 %, |
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—

monosaccharide (glucose and fructose) content — not less than 50 %,

| — | sucrose content — not more than 4 %, |
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—

sucrose content — not more than 4 %,

| — | melezitose content — around 3,5 %, |
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—

melezitose content — around 3,5 %,

| — | HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) content — not more than 30 mg/kg, |
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—

HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) content — not more than 30 mg/kg,

| — | diastase activity (Schade scale) — not less that 10, |
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—

diastase activity (Schade scale) — not less that 10,

| — | free acids — 20-40 meq/kg, |
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free acids — 20-40 meq/kg,

| — | electrical conductivity — not less than 1,C mS/cm, |
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—

electrical conductivity — not less than 1,C mS/cm,

| — | water-insoluble content — not more than 0,1 g/100 g, |
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water-insoluble content — not more than 0,1 g/100 g,

| — | even if stored for several years, the honey does not ferment and high osmotic pressure prevents the development of microorganisms, |
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even if stored for several years, the honey does not ferment and high osmotic pressure prevents the development of microorganisms,

| — | the predominance of the reducing sugar fructose in relation to glucose slows down crystallisation of the honey and also enhances its taste, |
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the predominance of the reducing sugar fructose in relation to glucose slows down crystallisation of the honey and also enhances its taste,

| — | contains twice as many disaccharides as nectar-based honeys (maltose, trehalose, turanose), which have antioxidant properties. |
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contains twice as many disaccharides as nectar-based honeys (maltose, trehalose, turanose), which have antioxidant properties.

3.3.   Raw materials (for processed products only):

—

3.4.   Feed (for products of animal origin only):

Bees may be fed only before winter, after their honey has been spun, and only white beet sugar or ready-made syrup (bee feed) containing at least 73 % sugar (glucose, fructose, sucrose) may be used. The white beet sugar and the sugar syrup do not need to originate from the area where ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is obtained. This does not affect the quality of the honey. If, owing to unforeseen external factors, the bees have to be fed at any other time, this can be done only after the Voivodship Bee-keepers’ Association in Rzeszów has notified the control body accordingly. If this process is used, it must be completed at least 14 days before the start of the honeydew-gathering period, during which supplementary feeding is prohibited.

3.5.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area:

All production steps — from the positioning of the hives to the final packaging of the honey — must take place in the defined geographical area.

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ may be harvested only in the period from the beginning of June to the end of September. The honey is cold-spun in a honey extractor using centrifugal force. After being clarified in tanks, the honey is decanted into various kinds of retail packaging. These are glass or stoneware containers with a capacity not exceeding 1 400 g. The honey should be kept away from light, at a temperature of 10-18 °C and no more than 65 % humidity. The honey must not be filtered (to remove pollen), creamed, pasteurised or artificially heated. The temperature of the honey must not exceed 42 °C at any stage in its production. The use of chemicals or other bee repellents, whether in solid, liquid or gaseous form, is forbidden during the process of harvesting the honey. The application of pharmaceutical products is prohibited during the honeydew gathering period.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc.:

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ must be packaged in the area defined in (4). This is because of traditional practices designed to ensure that the product is of an appropriate quality and aimed at monitoring and checking its origin. This avoids any risk of changes in the honey’s physico-chemical and organoleptic properties that might occur if it were transported over long distances. The requirement for packaging to take place in the area is also aimed at minimising the risk of ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ being mixed with other types of honey and of other honeys being sold under this protected name.

3.7.   Specific rules concerning labelling:

All beekeepers and entities engaged in the buying-in and further processing of honey under the protected name are required to use one type of label. Every label must include information on the capacity of the container and indicate the producer’s address, the veterinary register number and the serial number of the label. Labels will also include the Community symbol or the Community symbol and the inscription ‘Chroniona Nazwa Pochodzenia’ (Protected Designation of Origin). Labels will be distributed by the Voivodship Bee-keepers’ Association in Rzeszów. The Association forwards detailed rules to the inspection body concerning the distribution of labels. Such rules must not in any way discriminate against producers who produce ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ in accordance with the specification but do not belong to the Voivodship Bee-keepers’ Association in Rzeszów.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area:

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is harvested in 17 State forest districts (Nadleśnictwo Rymanów, Nadleśnictwo Komańcza, Nadleśnictwo Lesko, Nadleśnictwo Baligród, Nadleśnictwo Cisna, Nadleśnictwo Wetlina, Nadleśnictwo Stuposiany, Nadleśnictwo Lutowiska, Nadleśnictwo Brzegi Dolne, Nadleśnictwo Strzyżów, Nadleśnictwo Bircza, Nadleśnictwo Dukla, Nadleśnictwo Brzozów, Nadleśnictwo Dynów, Nadleśnictwo Kańczuga, Nadleśnictwo Radymno and Nadleśnictwo Krasiczyn) and in two national parks (Bieszczadzki Park Narodowy and Magurski Park Narodowy).

5.   Link with the geographical area:

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area:

Natural factors

The area in which ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is obtained is indicated in (4). With few exceptions, the soils in this area tend to be poor, falling within Classes IV and V. They are mainly brown soils, mostly leached, and podsolic soils, both powdery and clayey. Moor soils and alluvial soils occur in small amounts in the southern part of the area described. These soils and the topography (the Carpathian Foothills are located at an altitude of 350-600 m above sea level, and in the Lower Beskids and Bieszczady Mountains elevations reach 850 m above sea level) create ideal habitats for coniferous trees, in particular the European silver fir (Abies alba).

The fir is a highly sensitive species and therefore thrives only in a very favourable, clean environment. The variety that grows here — the European silver fir (Abies alba) — has historically been the most widespread variety in the Subcarpathian region. A very high proportion of the trees in the area’s forests are firs — the figure is put at 16,5 % — and the stands of fir have an average age of 87 years. In 2006, firs occupied about 67 784 ha of the forested area. In addition to two national parks, the area described contains 15 nature reserves — Jedlina, Rebece, Wilcze, Minokąt, Nad Trzciańcem, Mójka, Góra Chełm, Jażwiana Góra, Turnica, Krępak, Na Opalonym, Dybek, Chwaniów, Polanki and Hulskie — where protecting stands of fir is one of the key conservation aims. The Nadleśnictwo Stuposiany forest district also contains the fir tree with the biggest circumference — 505 cm — in any of Poland’s forests.

High precipitation (especially in winter), the resulting humidity of the air and stable high temperatures in the growing season create optimum conditions for honeydew-producing insects, namely conifer aphids (Lachnidae family) and scale insects (Margarodidae family). The presence of honeydew in the forests of the Subcarpathian region is therefore an annual phenomenon which occurs with varying intensity.

Historical and human factors

Wild-bee-keeping in the Subcarpathian region has some very old traditions and dates back to ancient times. Good natural conditions meant that bee-keeping developed very rapidly in this area. The first sources containing references to the keeping of wild bees date from the 15th century. In 1464, the various taxes paid by the inhabitants of Dębowiec, a small town near Jasło, included a honey tax. Bee-keeping ordinances, which are amongst the oldest in Poland, provide further evidence that wild-bee-keeping was highly developed in the Subcarpathian region. An ordinance of 1478 for the bee-keepers of Łańcut, Kańczuga and Tyczyn and the Biecz bee-keeping ordinance of 1538 set out detailed regulations governing the keeping of wild bees, and these have developed over the centuries. Honey and wax production far exceeded the needs of the local market and occupied an important place alongside other goods exported to the north via Kraków from this area. ‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ was ‘discovered’ as an export in the middle of the 20th century. In the 1950s, conifer honeydew honey, which fetched two to three times more than nectar honeys, was sought-after in western European countries and the USA. The year 1967 was a key year, when over 1 000 tonnes of forest honeydew was harvested in the Subcarpathian region. Interest grew in the forest as a ‘grazing area’ for bees that supplied them with a sweet substance called honeydew. In 1970, an apicultural research service was set up at the Regional Agricultural Experimental Establishment at Boguchwała near Rzeszów, one of its tasks being to forecast the availability of honeydew. It was the first such service in Poland and was set up pursuant to a decree of the Voivodship National Council in Rzeszów. The location was chosen because of the abundance of top-quality honeydew in the area’s forests. Since 1980, research done under the direction of Prof. H. Gałuszkowa has been continued by the Bee Research Department at the Agricultural University of Kraków.

A distinctive feature of bee-keeping in the Subcarpathian region is the large number of bee-keepers (more than 3 000) harvesting honey on a small-scale, using traditional methods. The popularity of bee-keeping and the bee-keepers’ great commitment to maintaining the quality of honey in this region is evidenced by the fact that the Voivodship Bee-keepers’ Association in Rzeszów, which brings together 54 local bee-keeping societies, has been active for more than 40 years. Regional bee-keepers’ cooperatives in Przemyśl, Jarosław and Jaśło are also active in the areas where ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is obtained.

The highly developed skills of local beekeepers are connected in particular with the maintenance of the traditional hive management method so closely associated with this area. These skills are also bound up with the siting of the hives, in particular with regard to the variability in honeydew levels and topography, the method of harvesting such a unique honey as ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’, the (cold) spinning of the honey and the rules on the storage and decanting of the honey.

The strict characteristic values imposed on ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’, in particular with the aim of maintaining its varietal purity and preventing its mixing with other honeys, can be adhered to only by exercising the greatest care as regards hive management and the harvesting and storage of the honey.

5.2.   Specificity of the product:

The characteristic features attesting to the properties of ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ are:

| — | glucose and fructose content — not less than 50 %, |
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glucose and fructose content — not less than 50 %,

| — | average trisaccharide (melezitose) content — 3,5 %, |
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average trisaccharide (melezitose) content — 3,5 %,

| — | electrical conductivity — not less than 1,C S/cm, |
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electrical conductivity — not less than 1,C S/cm,

| — | colour — not less than 82 mm on the Pfund scale. |
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colour — not less than 82 mm on the Pfund scale.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the quality or characteristics of the product (for PDO) or a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic of the product (for PGI):

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is a unique product that is closely linked to the area from which it originates. Its specific characteristics derive from the geographical area, which has natural coniferous forest cover and is typified by a very high proportion of European silver fir (Abies alba). The quality of the product is also determined by optimum climatic conditions (prolonged periods of stable high temperatures of 25-30 °C) and very high air humidity, which create specific conditions favouring the mass reproduction of honeydew-producing insects, namely aphids of the Lachnidae family and scale insects of the Margarodidae family. These conditions also have a beneficial impact on the production of honeydew by these insects.

The much higher than normal electrical conductivity typical of ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ demonstrates the high content of microelements which are important to health, such as magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, cobalt, calcium, phosphorus and others. This characteristic property of the product is also a result of its origin because the soils on which the fir stand grows are rich in mineral salts which are taken up by the plants along with water and which then, after being secreted by honeydew-producing insects, find their way into the honey. ‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ owes its characteristic dark colour to green algae associated with the fir stand in the area described. Its high content of the trisaccharide melezitose attests to its origins in forested areas with a predominance of fir trees.

‘Podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ characteristically has a higher than average reducing monosaccharide content which, combined with moderate acidity, improves the flavour of the honey, giving it a less intense sweet taste.

Honey has been obtained over a very long period of time, without interruption, from fir trees in this area. The method of harvesting ‘podkarpacki miód spadziowy’ is closely linked with the skills of local bee-keepers. The high level of bee-keeping skills is reflected amongst other things by the many requirements to be met during the harvesting of the honey which, combined with the area’s unique features, make it possible to obtain honey that possesses the specific characteristics referred to in (5.2).

Reference to publication of the specification:

(Article 5(7) of Regulation (EC) No 510/2006)

http://www.minrol.gov.pl/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabOrgId=1326&LangId=0

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| 9.12.2009 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 299/23 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

9.12.2009

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 299/23

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Publication, pursuant to Article 12(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, concerning a cancellation application

2009/C 299/09

This publication confers the right to object to the cancellation application pursuant to Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 510/2006. Statements of objections must reach the Commission within six months from the date of this publication.

CANCELLATION REQUEST

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 510/2006

Cancellation request according to Article 12(2) and Article 17(2)

‘HÖLLEN SPRUDEL’

EC No: DE-PDO-0117-0860-21.02.2008

PGI ( ) PDO ( X )

1.   Registered name proposed for cancellation:

Höllen Sprudel

2.   Member State or third country:

Germany

3.   Type of product:

| Class 2.2. | Natural mineral waters and spring waters |
| --- | --- |

Class 2.2.

Natural mineral waters and spring waters

4.   Person or body making request for cancellation:

| Name | : | BrunnenVerwaltung Höllensprudel |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Address | : | Dr.-Fritz-Wiede-Straße 36 |
| 95119 Naila |
| DEUTSCHLAND |

Name

:

BrunnenVerwaltung Höllensprudel

Address

:

Dr.-Fritz-Wiede-Straße 36

95119 Naila

DEUTSCHLAND

Nature of legitimate interest in making the request:

The requester is acting on behalf of the following proprietor and user of the mineral spring Höllen Sprudel and therefore possesses a legitimate interest in the cancellation request.

5.   Reasons for cancellation:

As proprietor and sole user of the state-recognised mineral spring Höllen Sprudel, Kohlensäurewerk Hölle, Dr. Fritz Wiede GmbH & Co., has, owing to the high inspection costs, no further interest in the protection of this name as a designation of origin under Regulation (EC) No 510/2006 (formerly Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92) since it enjoys adequate legal protection under the Mineral- und Tafelwasser Verordnung (Mineral and Table Water Ordinance).

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